By Babatunde Philips
Ado Ekiti
The Erstwhile Provost of the Former College of Education now Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere Ekiti, Professor Mojisola Oyarekua has stressed the need for African to maximize the uniqueness in their cultures and traditional festivities in addressing some of the basic contemporary challenges.
In a congratulatory message made available to the press, the former College Administrator felicitated with the Ewi,Oba Rufus Adeyemi Adejugbe,Eyesorun,Olori Bosede Adejugbe,mbers of Ewi-in Council and all the Sons and Daughters of Ado Ekiti on the occasion of this year’s UDIROKO festival.
According to the Don, It is high time Africans most especially Nigerians began to see reasons why they must develop from within by giving relevance to the cultural things that elevate their identity.
She berated some sentiments demonizing African cultures and festivity noting that a people whose history, cultures and traditions are lost are as good as nothing. She explained that there is an urgent need to salvage African traditions from continuous erosion, which she ascribed as one of the major reasons for the rampaging vices in the society.
Oyarekua who congratulated the Ewi, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adelugbe for the Traditional festival noted that Ado Ekiti had benefitted immensely from the peaceful reign of the Monarch which had brought many developments to the State capital while the Indigenes of the town continued making successes in their endeavours.
Professor Oyarekua who is also a princess from the Royal Family of the town also felicitated with and congratulated the Ewi in Council and the Eyesorun Bosede Adejugbe as well as the Ado Progressive Union for being part of this year’s celebration.
She charged Ado Sons and daughters to see the celebration beyond the accompanying merriments but look inward on how best to launch it into the global limelight where it would serve as adventures to tourists and adventurers as well as economic gains for the state.
UDIROKO is the annual traditional festival that brings indigene of Ado Ekiti to a round table to celebrate the King and deliberate on the progress of the town.
She charged the people to celebrate with Modesty and non violence as well as observe rules guilding physical association.
Oyarekua prayed for peace, progress and development in the Ado Ekiti Kingdom as well as long reign for the Monarch.